Article: No surprises as development body calls for red tape cuts

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

No surprises as development body calls for red tape cuts

No surprises as development body calls for red tape cuts
August 25, 2012 Katherine Feeney

Slash development timelines, charges, and taxes, but don't touch the $5.4 billion roads and transport budget, is what the state's peak development body has requested of the Newman Government in a pre-budget submission.

The pitch made by the Queensland branch of the Urban Development Institute of Australia at their annual state conference yesterday contains plenty of recommendations but few surprises, boiling down to a call for less red tape and more green lights for development.

And it was warmly received by the Premier's representative, Minister for Local Government David Crisafulli, who used his opening address to reiterate the new administration's commitment to infrastructure and planning.

Mr Crisafulli's speech indicated the steps already taken in the "right direction", UDIA President Matthew Wallace said, and outlined several directives already issued that paved the way for progress.
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But Mr Wallace was quick to discount the notion the change in government had brought about a political environment overly-sympathetic to the property development industry.

Speaking from Townsville, Mr Wallace said the changes already made and those outlined in the pre-budget paper were more about "unwinding complexities" than enabling unmitigated development.

"I can understand how some people might see it like that but [the government] is unwinding some of the complexities of the process, not dispensing with the frameworks," he said.

"They're not doing away with local area plans, it's simply the regulations - the planning process that we go through gives everyone an opportunity to have comment on how land is managed."

Since taking power, the Newman government has boosted the role of Coordinator-General and Department of State Development and Planning, established a body of experts called Infrastructure Queensland, and created a stand-alone unit in Treasury responsible for new funding models, Mr Crisafulli said.

The minister also highlighted the new role created for Mansfield MP Ian Walker as the "go-to person for the property industry" in his capacity as Assistant Minister for Planning Reform.

"[Mr Walker] offers you a direct line of communication to government, which will improve efficiencies in the development process," Mr Crisafulli told the conference.

"We've been listening to regional Queenslanders who've made it very clear that they want a faster, more streamlined planning and development system."

In his address, Mr Wallace positioned the industry as the fourth-largest contributor to Gross State Product, referring to UDIA figures which put total value added at $18.3 billion or 6.9% of GSP.

He said housing affordability, economic growth and job creation could be improved with the right range of industry supports.

But the UDIA was acutely aware the government's strained financial position and tailored their submission's recommendations to suit, Mr Wallace said.

Deputy Premier and the Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jeff Seeney, announced a Temporary State Planning Policy which comes into effect yesterday.

The draft Planning for Prosperity policy, tabled in Parliament on Thursday, aims to "speed – not impede – development", Mr Seeney said in a statement.

"In essence it will ensure that state agencies and councils must ensure that economic development considerations are a fundamental planning consideration in this state," he said.

"This is a key stride in this government's determination to ensure that Queensland is again open for business – it will facilitate growth, development and economic activity."

Planning reforms contained within the draft policy focus on community engagement, standardising processes, removing "unnecessary costs on development" and the removal of "regulatory barriers" in the agricultural, tourism, mining and property development sectors.

It will be in effect for 12 months and form the basis for a new State Planning Policy which will be released for public comment in October and should be adopted early next year.

Key UDIA budget calls include:

1. Provide funding to re-establish an Infrastructure Taskforce for a period of two years to thoroughly investigate:

a. Alternative infrastructure funding and financing models

b. The development of standardised infrastructure-related development conditions

c. The avoidance of 'gold plated' infrastructure development expectations

d. The development of standard crediting and offset mechanisms

2. An extension to the existing cap on infrastructure charges and the moratorium on local function charges until 31 December 2015.

3. Quarantine the $5.4 billion transport infrastructure budget of the Department of Transport and Main Roads from budget cuts.

4. Commit to no net increase in taxes and charges in this term of government.

5. Stimulate housing supply by reducing stamp duty on off-the-plan sales.

6. Ensure sufficient departmental funding to quickly implement reforms to planning legislation and processes.

7. Extend funding for the Council of Mayors Development Assessment Process Reform – Operational Works and Large Subdivisions project.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/no-surprises-as-development-body-calls-for-red-tape-cuts-20120824-24rlu.html

[Jonno]

More sprawl, more road centric infrastructure, more economically unsustainsble development. UDIA out of touch with reality like our major political parties

[WTN]

Footpaths and bikeways won't be needed any more in new and existing developments. Streets only need to accommodate cars. The front yard and fences can stop at the kerb. That'll save money. After all, everyone drives, no one walks. Walking belongs to the age of dinosaurs.  

Money can also be saved by not having to provide any public transport, because after all, no one uses it. Just bigger and bigger roads to keep the cars going. A 12 lane freeway to this new development would be nice.